SSA Reference Materials

The Social Security Administration publishes the controlling rules and guidance for administrative representation. These sources are the canonical reference for fee authorization, appointment of representatives, and conduct of representatives before the agency.

• POMS — the Program Operations Manual System. Internal SSA guidance used by claims representatives and adjudicators.
• HALLEX — the Hearings, Appeals and Litigation Law manual. Procedural reference for ALJ hearings and Appeals Council review.
• 20 CFR Parts 404 and 416 — the federal regulations governing SSDI and SSI, including representative conduct, fee authorization, and direct payment.
• Listing of Impairments (Blue Book) — the medical criteria SSA uses to evaluate disability claims at step three of the sequential evaluation.

SSA maintains the official information on appointment of representatives, direct payment eligibility, and the EDPNA examination. Forms commonly involved include SSA-1696 (Appointment of a Representative), SSA-1699 (Registration for Direct Payment), and SSA-1695. The SSA pages and instructions for each form are the authoritative reference.

Representative fees in SSA disability matters are authorized by the Social Security Administration under its fee agreement or fee petition process and are subject to the statutory limits and SSA approval in each matter. Direct payment to an eligible representative is made out of SSA's withholding from a claimant's past-due benefits, where applicable. Nothing on this site guarantees fee authorization, direct payment, or any particular outcome in any matter.

Where a claimant appoints both an attorney at a law firm and a non-attorney representative recognized by SSA, the arrangement is governed by SSA's rules on appointment and conduct of representatives and by the law firm's applicable rules of professional responsibility, including rules on fee division, advertising, and the unauthorized practice of law.

See the Fees & Compliance page for the specific authorities and footnoted citations relied on in describing the co-representation model offered to law firms.

SSDI

Social Security Disability Insurance. Benefits for insured workers.

SSI

Supplemental Security Income. Needs-based benefits for adults and children with limited income and resources.

ALJ

Administrative Law Judge. Conducts the disability hearing after a claim is denied at reconsideration.

DDS

Disability Determination Services. State agency that makes the initial medical determination.

RFC

Residual Functional Capacity. What the claimant can still do despite their impairments.

EDPNA

Eligible for Direct Pay Non-Attorney representative recognized by SSA.

Past-due benefits

Back benefits owed from the established onset date through the favorable decision.

Fee agreement

The SSA-approved process for setting representative fees up to the statutory limit.

These references are provided for orientation only. They are not legal advice and are not a substitute for a law firm's own review of SSA rules, professional- responsibility rules, and the specific facts of any matter. Allied Legal Professional is not affiliated with, endorsed by, or part of the Social Security Administration or any other government agency.